In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen talks with Curtis Bosma from HighGround Dairy about the current state of the dairy market as of December 2025 and projections for 2026. They discuss stagnant dairy prices, particularly in cheese and butter, the role of whey in sustaining Class 3 milk prices, and the impacts of overproduction and bird flu on milk supply. Curtis also provides insights into alternative revenue sources like beef streams and methane digesters that are supporting dairy farmers. The episode closes with strategic advice for dairy producers to manage margins and plan ahead for the new year.
Grab your own copy of the monthly market update here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/december-2025-producer-market-update
This episode is brought to you by: HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain.
00:00 Introduction to Dairy Market Trends
00:42 Current Dairy Market Overview
03:07 Milk Production Insights
04:39 Bird Flu Impact on Dairy Market
07:58 Cheese and Butter Market Analysis
11:51 Whey Protein: The Unsung Hero
13:08 Alternative Revenue Sources for Dairy Farms
16:32 Strategies for 2026
21:06 Final Thoughts
Information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes and is not a solicitation to buy or sell commodities. Opinions expressed are current opinions as of December 17, 2025 at 1 p.m. CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

The long commitment of Nedap and GEA’s innovation partnership comes together to deliver performance that pays.

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy continues the conversation with Galen Smith of Coldstream Farms. They discuss the complexities and strategies involved in transitioning a family farm business across generations. Galen shares insights into how his father-in-law integrated him into the business, the importance of financial success and passion for farming, and the approach to decision-making that drives profitability.
Galen also talks about preparing opportunities for his four sons to join the farm, emphasizing the value of open conversations, monthly financial meetings, and allowing the younger generation to take ownership of projects. They delve into the process behind adopting new technologies like Cow Scout collars and outline goals for 2026, including focusing on efficiency, animal health, and mental wellness. The episode highlights both the challenges and the innovative steps taken to ensure a successful family farm transition.

This episode is part of the High-Performance Mindset Series powered by Nedap.Nedap is future-proofing dairy farming with smart technologies in activity monitoring, cow locating, milk metering, sort gates, and AI-powered camera systems. Nedap is improving life on the farm by putting the right cow in the right place at the right time, every time.

• 00:00 Introduction to Family Farm Transition
• 00:59 Galen Smith's Journey into the Family Business
• 01:38 Challenges and Strategies in Family Farm Transition
• 03:00 Financial Success and Passion in Farming
• 05:12 Generational Transition at Coldstream Farms
• 11:13 Collaborative Decision-Making and Technology Investments
• 17:19 Setting Up the Next Generation for Success
• 23:01 Goals and Reflections for the Future
• 28:55 Personal Goals and Family Time
• 32:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The long commitment of Nedap and GEA’s innovation partnership comes together to deliver performance that pays.

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy is joined by Galen Smith, who discusses over 20 years of cow monitoring at Coldstream Farms and the critical role of technology and data-driven decision making in managing dairy profitability. Smith outlines the implementation and evolution of monitoring devices, animal health technologies, and feed management systems that have enhanced operational efficiency.

He shares insights from his recent technology-focused trip to Europe and reflects on how global dairy practices influence local challenges. The conversation also touches on how specific technology investments have not necessarily reduced labor but allowed more focused, effective efforts leading to better animal outcomes and financial returns. Additionally, Smith mentions the challenges faced in the milk market and preparation for the future farm transitions. Tune in for the next episode, where the discussion shifts from technology to family farm transition.

This episode is part of the High-Performance Mindset Series powered by Nedap.
Nedap is future-proofing dairy farming with smart technologies in activity monitoring, cow locating, milk metering, sort gates, and AI-powered camera systems. Nedap is improving life on the farm by putting the right cow in the right place at the right time, every time.